Toothbrush



LSE 7,320

Dc. 2, E924.

J. P. STODDART TOOTHBRUSH Filed arch 12. 1923 v INVENTOR WITNESS ATTORNEY Patent Bec. 2, 1924.

` sT'Arss PATENT oFFlcE.

JOHN IPENDREIGH STQDDART, OF SALINAS CHACALLUTA, ARICA, CHILE.

TOOTHBRUSH.

AppIication led March 12, 1923. Serial No. 624,558.

their way into the crevices ina manner and with a degree and certainty notpermisslble with an ordinary tooth brush.

In carrying out the invention I preferably construct the brush proper of a plurality of sections mounted for oscillatory movement, said sections simultaneously moving in opposite directions, so that the teeth can be thoroughly cleaned in quick order.

Another important object of the invention residing in providing the handle of the brush with means for actuating the brush or brush sections, so that the brush can be used with the ease and convenience of an ordinary tooth brush.

The nature and advantages of the linvention will be readily understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a brush constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view except that certain of the brush sections are shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the positions of the adjacent brush sections when the latter are oscillated.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that the handle of the brush is hollow for a portion of its length, the hollow portion being indicated at 10, and extended to provide a terminal loop 11. The handle projects from one end of an elongated frame like member including spaced parallel sides and end members 12 and 13 respectively and in this frame operates` the brush proper above referred to.

The brush is preferably made up of a plurality of sections which are arranged in face to face contact and mounted on a sha-ftv for oscillatory motion. Each brush section includes a head 14 having an opening 15 to actuate an eccentric 16 mounted upon the shaft above mentioned. This shaft 1s journalled in the end members 13 of the elongated frame, and includes a squared portion 17 arranged in saidframe and a tubular portion 18 arranged in the portion 10 of the handle. The squared portion 16 supports spaced washers 19 between which the brushsections are grouped, a coiled spring 2U surrounding one end of the shaft and eX- erting a pressure againstthe adjacent washer 19, so that the brush sections are all held operatively associated upon the shaft. There is of course one eccentric 16 for each brush section, and each eccentric has a squared opening to accommodate the squared portion17 of .said shaft. It will be noted, however, that the eccentrics are oppositely disposed alternately, so that the bristles 21 of every other brush section projects beyond the terminals of the bristles 22 of the other sections. The construction and arrangement of these parts is such that when the shaft referred to is partially rotated in reverse directions, the alternate brush sections are oscillated simultaneously in opposite directions, the relative positions of the adjacent brush sections under these circumstances being illustrated in Figure 4. Upon inspection of Figures 3 and 4, it will-be observed that the inner surfaces of the parallel sides 12 of the elongated frame are bevelled outwardly toward its upper and lower edges, thereby defining what I term a fulcrum point 23, adapted to be engaged by the heads 14 of the respective brush sections, to limit the'oscillatory movements of said sections, and to incidentally' impart to said sections a slightly pivotal movement with relation to the shaft and the eccentrics supported thereon. The brush sections are adapted to be moved vertically over the teeth, incident to the operation of the shaft, and in this manner find their way into the crevices to thoroughly clean the teeth. This can be accomplished in quick order due to the fact that the brush sections osclllate or move in op posite directions. When the brush is not in use, the bristles are arranged Within a jcap or housing 24 which is pivoted as at 25 upon the handle and held in normal position by its association with the outermost end member 13 of the said frame in the manner illustrated in Figure 2.

l/lhile the shaft may be rotated in any suitable manner ier the purpose intended, l preferably provide means which are mounted upon the handle, so that the brush can be manipulated in a very easy and convenient manner, theV means includingy a sleeve 27 which is lrnurled and journalled on lthe handle as illustrated in' Figure 2., This sleeve is provided with an internalv gear 28 which meshes with a small gear 29 carried by the shaft 18, and manifestly by rotating the sleeve, similar motion is imparted to the shaft to actuate the brush sections as stated.,V

While it is believed that *from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, l desire to have it understood that l do not limit rnyseli= to What is herein shown and described and that such changes may be resorted to `when desired as fall Within the scope oi what is, claimed.

Having thus described the invention, l claim:

l. A teeth brush including a handle, a brush comprising a plurality of sections mounted for oscillating movement simultaneously in opposite directions, and means for simultaneously actuating the brush sections.

2. A tooth brush including a handle, a frame, a brush including a pluralityg of sections arranged Within the frame and mounted for oscillating movement, and means for oscillating alternate sections simultaneously inopposite directions. v

3. A tooth brush including' a handle, Aa frame like portionv arranged Dat one end thereof, a shaft journalled in the handle and frame, a plurality of brush sections arranged Within said frame and mounted on said shaft for oscillatory movement, incident to the rotation of said shaft, means for rotating l cillating alternate brush nerves@ said shaft, and means for simultaneouy osdirections,

l. A tooth brush including a handle, a frame like portion atv one end thereof, a shalt journalled in the handle and having a squared portion arranged in the iframe, escentrics carried by the squared portion ci said shaft, a plurality of brush sections arranged Within the trame, each section including a head having an opening to receive one ci said eccentrics, vvhereby said brush sections are oscillated incident to the rotation oi the shalt, and means for rotating said shaft.,

5. A tooth brush including a handle, la

trame like portion at one end thereof, a F

shait'journalled vvithin the handle and having a portion arranged Within the frame, a plurality or brush sections arranged vrithin 'the trarne and supported by the shalt, each section including a head having an opening an eccentricv :tor each head and arranged upon the shalt and received Within the opening ci" said head, said eccentrics being alternatelv arranged in reverse positions Whereby said brush sections are oscillated incident to the rotation oi the shalt and simultaneously moved in opposite directions.

t. A tooth brush including a handle, a trame like member at one end thereof, a shaft journalled in lthe handle and having a portion arranged in said frame, a plurality of brush sections arranged Within the frame and receiving; said shaft, and means for oscillating said brush sections, and simultaneously moving the latter in opposite directions incident to the rotation of the shaft, a pivoted cap arranged at one side of the frame and adapted to normally receive the bristles of the' brush, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the handle, an internal Vgear carried by the sleeve, and a small gear carried by the adiacent end of the shalt and meshingI with the internal gear whereby the rotation oi the shaft iscontrolled by said sleeve.

ln testimony whereof llama mv signature.

JOHN PENDREIGH STODDART.

sections in opposite 'lll 

